Football | Absa Premiership

Sundowns look for first win under Pitso

Second from bottom of the table side Mamelodi Sundowns will be looking upwards when they face Black Leopards in an Absa Premiership match on Sunday afternoon at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville, kick-off is at 15h30.

Sundowns began their new era under new coach Pitso Mosimane with a 1-1 draw at Free State Stars.

Downs who are second from bottom on the standings with a shocking eleven points from 13 matches, with only two victories, will desperately need a full complement of points against a side they are used to being above on the standings.

Leopards have consistently maintained their mid-table position this season. The Limpopo side is occupying ninth place on the log standings after 13 matches. Surprisingly they have only lost three matches, the same amount as they have won, but their seven draws have aided them.

Mosimane, who only has three matches left until the league goes into recess, has pointed out that he can’t change the Brazilians’ fortunes overnight, but in his effort of improving his team’s weaknesses they should also win because the hard-to-please ‘Downs fans expect nothing less from their expensively assembled squad.

“I am taking things one step at a time. The boys are regaining confidence slowly. I have sensed that they are more afraid to lose than too willing win because they sit back,” explains Mosimane.

“There is a passing game that I am trying to implement in this team. We have a midfield of young players. But I feel that the players are going in the right direction I want them to go. I understand that they might have a bit of stress.”

Leopards will be targeting a place inside the top half of the table before the mid-season break.

The Lidoda Duvha are just two points behind fifth placed University of Pretoria and a win against ‘Downs will go a long way in aiding their bid of an enjoyable Christmas break.

Leopards captain Mongezi Bobe has likened this upcoming fixture with ‘Downs similar to their midweek draw with last placed side AmaZulu.

“This Sunday will be a difficult fixture. Looking at the standings this season seems to have gone unpredictably. Sundowns don’t deserve to be where they are now because they have a good team and I have now just acquired a great coach,” the Leopards midfielder said.

“It is dangerous to play a side with a new coach because not only will the usual tactics we are used from them change, but now player’s attitudes will change too because every player wants to impress a new coach.

“From our point of view we have targeted seven points from our last four matches before the break. Now we have just one point and we have six or more to collect starting with Sundowns. We are backing ourselves because we are good travellers.”